Sea Girt Museum
LOCATION
National Guard Training Center
1 Camp Drive, Sea Girt, NJ 08750
ADMISSION
Admission is FREE
Parking is FREE
CONTACT
(732) 974-5966
Group Tours
The museum is host to dozens of group tours each year. We offer customized programs for Scouts, veterans groups, senior groups, schools, historical societies, and youth camps.
For group tours of our museum in Sea Girt, please use our online request form below.
From the West:
Take I-195 East. I-195 turns into 138E. Take Rt 35 South SEA GIRT exit. Stay on Rt 35 South for approximately 2.5 miles. Make left onto Sea Girt Avenue. Continue on Sea Girt Ave for approx 1.5 miles to intersection of Rt 71. Cross over Rt 71 - proceed approximately 50 yards and bear right immediately after crossing railroad tracks. Make right turn into National Guard Training Center.
From the NJ Turnpike (North or South):
Take exit 7A - Follow exit to I-195 East. Follow above directions.
From Garden State Parkway (North or South):
Exit 98 off GSP - Route 138 East. Follow above directions
The Museum is located on the grounds of the National Guard Training Center. The Training Center is an active military and state installation. Please be prepared with a photo ID and/or driver's license to show the security guard when you arrive at the gate. The security guard will direct you to the museum.
Free parking is available around the museum building. Parking is available in a small lot across from the main entrance as well as past the building on the side.
The museum's exhibits are accessible by wheelchair. Museum restrooms are accessible to those with mobility disabilities or in wheelchairs. Our building is all one level. Outdoor exhibits are located on a flat grass surface.
Admission
Admission is free. Visitors that wish to donate can find a cash box next to the guestbook podium.
Guestbook
Please be sure to sign our guestbook at the front door and include everyone in your party, including children. You may also leave an email address to be included on our mailing list.
Photography
We recommend allowing an hour to tour the galleries and outdoor artifacts and to bring a camera. Photography is allowed.
Outdoor exhibits
Climbing on the macro-artifacts is a liability, so please refrain from having young children on them.
Wifi
Wifi is not available at the museum.
Food and beverages
Food and beverages are not permitted inside the museum. Water is acceptable.
Appearance
Please be respectful of our appearance. Do not touch or climb atop museum cases or displayed objects.
Questions and assistance
Staff members and/or volunteer docents will be on site to guide visitors. Feel free to ask them to give you a tour or to answer any questions or concerns you might have.
Smoking
Smoking inside the building is prohibited, including e-cigarettes.
Dress Code
All visitors are required to wear shirts and footwear.
Suggestions
On the way out, please leave any comments you might have in our foyer suggestion box. Your feedback helps us improve the experience for visitors.
A HISTORICAL CURIOSITY
The Intelligent Whale
The centerpiece of the Museum is the Intelligent Whale, a primitive post Civil War submarine powered by human muscle. Ideally four sailors would crank the propeller while up to six other crewmen labored to keep the submarine on course and off the bottom. At least one crew member was tasked with leaving the sub through the wooden door in the submarine’s hull floor and transporting and attaching a mine to the hull of an enemy vessel.
You can actually poke your head up inside from beneath the sub and get a feel for how much space there was for the complement of 6 crewmen. Learn more.
